Editing Capture the flag (section)

===Capturing the flag===
[[File:River Ridge 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|An [[ECyD]] member playing a variation of capture the flag, in which the "flag" is a softball, at Camp River Ridge in [[Indiana]]]]
The rules for the handling of the flag also vary from game to game and deal mostly with the disposition of the flag after a failed attempt at capturing it. In one variant, after a player is tagged while carrying the flag, it is returned to its original place. In another variant, the flag is left in the location where the player was tagged. This latter variant makes offensive play easier, as the flag will tend, over the course of the game, to be moved closer to the dividing line between territories. In some games, it is possible for the players to throw the flag to teammates. As long as the flag stays in play without hitting the ground, the players are allowed to pass it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Capture the Flag {{!}} Rules & Variations |url=https://study.com/academy/lesson/capture-the-flag-rules-variations.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=study.com |language=en}}</ref>

When the flag is captured by one player, they're not safe from being tagged, unless they trip.{{cn|date=June 2023}} Sometimes, the flag holder may not be safe at all, even in their home territory, until they obtain both flags, thus ending the game. Their goal is to return to their own side or hand it off to a teammate who will then carry it to the other side. In most versions the flag may be handed off while running. The game is won when a player returns to their own territory with the enemy flag or both teams' flags. Also, rarely the flag carrier may not attempt to free any of their teammates from jail.<ref name="scouts">{{cite web |url=http://usscouts.org/games/game_cf.asp |title=USSSP - Games - Capture the Flag |publisher=Usscouts.org |access-date=2010-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502083522/http://usscouts.org/games/game_cf.asp |archive-date=2019-05-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>